CAMPAIGNERS battling to save an historic mill chimney are delighted that its owners have decided to hold off its destruction.

Six days before the 150-year-old chimney in Brompton was due to be demolished, owner Felicity Bonaventura called a halt to the work.

The long-term future of the mill chimney will now be discussed at a meeting between Mrs Bonaventura's agents, Strutt and Parker, and the campaigners. Campaign leader Erik Matthews said: "It is to their great credit that the owner has recognised how important the chimney is to Brompton people and we very much look forward to working with them."

Mrs Bonaventura is seeking demolition because the chimney is felt to be unsafe.

Messages of support came from steeplejack Fred Dibnah, the SAVE British Heritage Group and the Northallerton Local History Society. A structural survey will now be carried out and a survey to establish whether the chimney is home to a colony of bats.

Mr Matthews said: "While this is wonderful news, we realise that there is still a long way to go before the chimney has a secure future.

A public meeting will be held at Brompton Village Hall tonight, at 7pm, to discuss taking the campaign to the next stages.